Defy The Alpha(s)-Chapter 803: Sentient Power

Violet and her mates stepped onto the training ground, the wide field stretching beneath the pale glow of the Fae sky.

Annequin was already there.

She stood at the center of the field like a statue carved from ice, arms folded across her chest, lips pressed into a tight line. The moment she saw them, her eyes narrowed and a scowl deepened across her face.

"You’re late."

Violet frowned. "It’s only two minutes."

Annequin’s expression didn’t soften in the slightest. If anything, it hardened.

"I do not joke with my time," she said coldly. The air around her seemed to thicken with authority. "If I volunteer my time and energy to teach you how to manage your powers, then you will take it seriously."

She took a step forward, her gaze burning into Violet.

"You have a competition ahead of you and you are a ticking time bomb, Violet Purple. The least you could do is show a little dedication."

The words struck harder than Violet expected. For a moment she opened her mouth to snap back, but the protest died before it could form. Deep down she knew Annequin wasn’t wrong.

She had been acting like a brat.

Violet lowered her gaze slightly. She murmured. "It won’t happen again."

Annequin didn’t answer. Instead she stared at Violet with a look so intense it almost felt like a physical weight pressing down on her. Then she said flatly, "Run laps around the field. Give me twenty. Now."

"What?"

For a brief second Violet wondered if this was Annequin’s petty revenge. After all, the two of them were far from friends despite this strange training arrangement.

Annequin raised a brow.

"Need to get your blood pumping," she said lazily. "Rouse your powers. It won’t hurt to see how you perform physically either."

There was a hint of mockery in her voice.

Violet rolled her eyes.

"Fine."

Without another word she took off across the field.

The morning air whipped through her hair as she ran, boots pounding against the soft grass. But she knew the moment Annequin strolled over to her mates who were watching from the sidelines.

"Rough night?" she asked, making conversation.

None of the cardinal alphas answered her.

Pride swelled in Violet’s heart, relishing Annequin’s disappointment a little.

Nonetheless, Violet kept running. As she circled the massive grounds, her eyes caught the damage scattered from a section of the field to the palace landscape.

Entire patches of vegetation had been reduced to ash and sections of structures had collapsed. It was as if she had sucked the life out of them. Although the buildings had collapsed out of the force that had been created when Annequin’s powers collided with hers. But it didn’t eliminate the fact that this happened all because she had lost control of her power.

Even early that morning, Fae workers were already moving through the ruins, their magic weaving through the air as they rebuilt what had been destroyed, restoring the grounds with remarkable speed.

It was amazing but the sight still made Violet’s chest tighten. And that was exactly why she was here. Even if training with Annequin meant enduring her sharp tongue and unbearable attitude.

Violet pushed herself faster.

Lap after lap, her legs carried her around the field with effortless rhythm. Her lungs barely burned and her muscles didn’t ache the way they used to.

When she had lived in the human realm, her powers had been suppressed, but here, everything was different. The magic in the Fae realm was thick in the air, almost tangible.

The Fae breathed magic the same way humans breathed oxygen. And now that Violet had awakened her true heritage, that power flowed through her veins like wildfire.

By the time she finished the twentieth lap and slowed to a stop, her breathing was only slightly elevated. She wiped a strand of hair from her face and walked back toward the group.

Annequin watched her approach, her sharp eyes scanning Violet carefully, taking note of everything. When Violet stopped in front of her, Annequin tilted her head slightly.

"How do you feel?"

Violet wasn’t sure whether the question was sincere or simply another way for Annequin to put her down. Either way, she lifted her chin with pride.

"Excellent," she said. "It didn’t even feel like I broke a sweat."

Annequin nodded.

"Good. Hold onto that feeling because I want you to call out your powers now."

She waved her hand dismissively. "You know. The diabolical one."

The reaction was immediate.

Not just Violet, but the Cardinal Alphas stiffened. Even the word itself seemed to darken the air between them.

Violet hesitated. She had known this moment would come eventually. Annequin had been very clear about it yesterday. If Violet wanted to learn control, she would have to face the darkness inside her.

Still, the memory of what had happened yesterday was fresh and everything was going too fast.

She crossed her arms. "Isn’t there something else you could teach me first? You know, before I unleash that thing again?"

Roman spoke up from the side.

"You know she’s not wrong about that. All you asked her to do was run a few laps, and now you want her to bring out the big guns. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m a little worried about your teaching methods." He added, "And I certainly can’t be the only one." His gaze shifted toward the other Alphas, or more precisely Asher. The brains.

But Asher didn’t respond. His face was tight with thought, watching Annequin like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

"Well," Annequin started, "since none of you are talking to me, I took it upon myself to do some research. And I discovered something interesting."

Annequin continued casually. "This isn’t the first time Violet used that particular power. In fact, she once used it to save your life. Didn’t she?" her gaze pinned Alaric on the spot.

Understanding struck Alaric instantly. His eyes widened. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"The attack on the North Pack..."

He remembered the destruction, and how Violet’s strange power had swallowed the damage without harming any of them.

His gaze snapped back to Annequin.

"How did you—"

Annequin lifted a hand, cutting him off with a smug smile.

"Doesn’t matter."

Then she turned back to Violet.

"What I’m trying to say," she continued calmly, "is that the lovely Princess of the Free Fae has a sentient power. A happy Violet equals hero princess.But an overwhelmed Violet..." She shrugged.

"Means bye-bye, everyone."